The 21 Best Shoes to Wear with Jeans

One of the reasons jeans have remained such an essential staple in our outfit rotations is that they're just so darn versatile. A great pair of jeans really does go with (almost) everything. On the bright side, this means we always have a go-to pair of bottoms that we can dress up or down. On the slightly less bright side, it's possible to find yourself with a closet full of fantastic jeans and no idea what shoes to wear them with.

If you're struggling to figure out which shoes go with which jean styles, fear not. We've been studying up on the best shoes to wear with your fave jeans, courtesy of your favorite street style stars and fashion designers. From the runway to the front row of fashion week and the chicest sidewalks around the world, we've rounded up a definitive guide of the 22 best shoes to wear with jeans.

Cowboy Boots

Wear with: skinny jeans, straight-leg jeans

Skip the summer staple that is cut-off shorts in favor of the more elevated and classic combination of jeans, cowboy boots, and an oversized blazer. Tighter-fitting jeans slip easily into taller cowboy boot styles, but don't be afraid to let looser jeans scrunch up around your calves. It's a vibe, trust us.

Mules

Wear with: ankle-length jeans, kick-flare jeans, baggy jeans

The femininity and charm of mules featuring oversized luxe bows in velvet or satin contrast beautifully with dark denim and menswear-inspired styling. Best of all, these count as statement shoes so you can throw on basic separates and still have an A+ 'fit.

Slingbacks

Wear with: baggy jeans

Given their big business casual energy, slingback heels worn with jeans create unexpected contrast. In fact, slingbacks of all heights were spotted up and down the fall/winter runways. Slip a pair on for a surprisingly elevated, but casual look.

Low Heels

Wear with: straight-leg jeans, baggy jeans, skinny jeans

You don't need to teeter on sky-high stilettos to pull off Sophie Richie Grainge's quiet luxury look. A pair of low-to-mid-height pumps — we're talking between two and three inches max — with a contrasting toe delivers a luxe effect when worn with straight-leg jeans. Plus, they won't wreak havoc on your arches.

White Sneakers

Wear with: everything, always.

It doesn't get better than a pair of jeans and fresh white sneakers. We love a cropped or cuffed pair to show off stacked athletic shoes, but a pair of skinny jeans can deliver the same nostalgic and youthful energy.

Stacked Loafers

Wear with: straight-leg jeans, baggy jeans, flare jeans

We have Gen Z to thank for the reinvention of the loafer. Thanks to stars like Hailey Bieber, Olivia Rodrigo, and Sofia Richie Grainge, loafers have left the boardroom and entered the cool kid group chat.

Lace-Up Boots

Wear with: skinny jeans, straight-leg jeans

Lace-up booties that blend the utilitarian vibe of a work boot with the sleek aesthetic of athletic shoes are very much of the moment. They also happen to be a great trendy shoe to wear with less-trendy (but still much-loved!) skinny jeans.

Pointy-Toe Pumps or Flats

Wear with: baggy jeans, cargo jeans, wide-leg jeans

Serve vampy energy without compromising comfort by pairing your most voluminous jeans with a pair of pointy-toe shoes. With heels, the vibe is the perfect mix of elegant and streetwear; and with flats, the silhouette brings a street-style sensibility to the puddled pants and heels look while posing zero risk to your ankles.

Embellished Pumps

Wear with: straight-leg jeans, baggy jeans

The aughts made stiletto heels and skinny jeans a celeb style staple. And while we're not thrilled by the return of every Y2K fashion trend, we're here for an embellished heel and denim moment. Upgrade the styling by swapping out skinny jeans for a looser, straight-leg style and skip the studs in favor of a bit of brooch-style sparkle.

Comfy Converse

Wear with: mom jeans, skinny jeans

Nothing beats a pair of comfy Converse lace-ups for a day of running errands or a casual brunch date with your besties. When styling Converse and jeans, we recommend leaning into the casual aesthetic by blending shades of blue with retro pieces like high-waisted mom jeans and an oversized button-down.

Work Boots

Wear with: skinny jeans, baggy jeans

Work boots like classic Timberlands imbue jeans with an effortlessness. Wear them with tongues out and laces undone for a street-style vibe or pair with thick, scrunched socks and skinny jeans for a throwback to Y2K-era styling.

Chic Clogs

Wear with: flare jeans, straight-leg jeans, ankle-length jeans

Chunky clogs make a great footwear foil to sleek straight styles, and also pair well with flares. While white shoes are notoriously difficult to keep clean, it doesn't get more chic or fashion-forward than a pair of black jeans and cream-colored clogs with gold hardware.

Mary Janes

Wear with: straight-leg jeans, ankle-length jeans, baggy jeans

This timeless shoe adds elegance to jeans regardless of heel height. Go glamorous with square-heeled Mary Jane or opt for a more mod look with flats. 

Booties

Wear with: everything, always.

Booties, with or without laces, work especially well with baggy jeans worn cuffed or cropped. Celebs have been wearing ankle booties and jeans for decades, so this shoe and denim pairing benefits from a modern remix courtesy of mixed prints, statement pieces, and trending colorways.

Ankle Boots

Wear with: ankle-length jeans, flare jeans, skinny jeans

We love the sharp look of a pair of boots cut short just below your anklebone. The vibe is definitely menswear-inspired, and we recommend leaning in by pairing this type of shoe with skinny jeans and a button down.

Combat Boots

Wear with: skinny jeans, cargo jeans, baggy jeans

Combat boots and jeans make a great backdrop for highlighting — and subverting — your fave aesthetic. Mix and match prep and punk with black boots and a cable knit turtleneck or blend business and pleasure with a pair of skinny jeans, platform combat boots, and an oversized blazer.

Metallic Boots

Wear with: straight-leg jeans, flare jeans

Nothing spices up a neutral look quite like a good metallic. Texture is key here, so find a finish that works with the hardware on your most frequently worn accessories. If you're a fan of silver buckles and gunmetal chain strap crossbody bags, try a cracked silver finish. If you prefer gold jewelry and accents, consider a high-shine patent leather in a dark bronze color.

Ballet Flats

Wear with: everything, always.

Thanks to balletcore, these pretty and easy-to-wear flats have come roaring back into style. What’s more, ballet flats work well with a wide range of jeans styles, from skinny and high-waisted to baggy and wide-legged. Our favorite ballet flats and jeans look for fall? A square-toed ballet flat peeking out from under the hem of dark wash flares. 

Flatforms

Wear with: straight-leg jeans, wide-leg jeans

Flatforms are set to be just as trendy for fall as they were during warmer months. They also happen to look incredibly luxe when worn with jeans. Cuff your jeans at the ankle to highlight your flatforms or wear a wide-leg style to subtly add extra inches without drawing the eye to your footwear.

Strappy Sandals

Wear with: skinny jeans, flare jeans, baggy jeans

Strappy sandals are a shoe MVP (most valuable pair). For a twist on your go-to, wear them with colorful jeans and vibrant socks for a surefire OOTD.

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